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Which resolution is ideal for each type of photography?
- Monique Harmer
- 2 minute read
Which resolution is ideal for each type of photography?
The ideal resolution for different types of photography depends on how the images will be used—whether for printing, web use, or other purposes. Here’s a breakdown of recommended resolutions for each type of photography and application:
1. Web Use (Social Media, Websites, Blogs)
- Ideal Resolution: 72 to 150 PPI (Pixels Per Inch) and 1,000 to 2,000 pixels on the longest side.
- Why: For online use, file size and loading speed are important factors. Most screens (smartphones, tablets, computers) display images at around 72 PPI, so high resolutions are unnecessary. Images for social media or websites typically don’t need to be large in terms of pixel count because they are displayed on smaller screens.
- Examples:
- Instagram: A typical photo might be 1080 x 1080 px for square posts, or 1080 x 1350 px for portrait mode.
- Facebook: 1200 x 630 px for shared photos (but can go up to 2048 px on the longest side).
- Website/Banners: For blog posts, website headers, or product photos, 1,500 to 2,000 px on the longest side is common.
- Camera Resolution: A camera with 12 MP to 24 MP is more than enough for web use. High-resolution images won’t improve visual quality on screens but will result in larger file sizes that take longer to load.
2. Print Photography
Print resolution depends on the print size and print quality you desire. The standard for high-quality prints is usually 300 PPI (pixels per inch).
Small Prints (4 x 6 inches, 5 x 7 inches)
- Ideal Resolution: 1500 x 2100 pixels or 2400 x 3000 pixels (for 4 x 6 at 300 PPI or 5 x 7 at 300 PPI).
- Camera Resolution: 12 MP to 16 MP is enough for small prints, but more is always better for cropping flexibility.
Medium Prints (8 x 10 inches, 8.5 x 11 inches)
- Ideal Resolution: For an 8 x 10 print at 300 PPI, you’ll need 2400 x 3000 pixels (for an 8.5 x 11 print, you’ll need 2550 x 3300 pixels).
- Camera Resolution: 12 MP to 24 MP works great here, depending on cropping and print quality.
Large Prints (16 x 20 inches, 20 x 30 inches)
- Ideal Resolution: For a 16 x 20 print at 300 PPI, you’d need 4800 x 6000 pixels. For a 20 x 30 print, you might only need 6000 x 9000 pixels if you print at 200 PPI, as print resolution can drop slightly for large prints.
- Camera Resolution: 24 MP to 50 MP is ideal for large prints or when you want the ability to crop heavily.
Poster/Wall Art (24 x 36 inches, 36 x 48 inches)
- Ideal Resolution: Posters often require a resolution of about 150 to 200 PPI for very large prints, which translates to 3600 x 5400 pixels for a 24 x 36 print at 200 PPI.
- Camera Resolution: 24 MP to 50 MP or more is ideal for high-quality large prints. Some professional cameras offer up to 100 MP for massive prints or commercial-quality art.
3. Portrait Photography
- Ideal Resolution: 16 MP to 50 MP depending on the intended use (prints or digital).
- Why: Portrait photography often requires good detail, especially for printing larger sizes. A higher resolution allows you to crop the image without losing quality, and it can also help with detail in skin textures, facial features, etc.
- For a standard 8 x 10 print at 300 PPI, 16 MP is sufficient, but if you want to print larger, go for 24 MP or more.
4. Landscape Photography
- Ideal Resolution: 24 MP to 50 MP or more.
- Why: Landscape photography benefits from high resolution to capture fine details in vast, intricate scenes. Higher resolution helps in printing large-format images without compromising quality.
- For Prints: A 36 x 24-inch print will require 10,800 x 7,200 pixels (about 78 MP at 300 PPI), but for most users, a 24 MP to 50 MP camera provides plenty of resolution.
5. Commercial/Product Photography
- Ideal Resolution: 24 MP to 50 MP.
- Why: Product photos used for advertising, catalogs, or websites often require detailed, sharp images to showcase features clearly. A higher resolution helps maintain sharpness and clarity, particularly when zoomed in or printed.
- For Web Use: A 12 MP to 16 MP camera can work fine for online catalogs and e-commerce images, but 24 MP or higher is often preferred for commercial work where detail matters.
6. Sports Photography
- Ideal Resolution: 16 MP to 30 MP.
- Why: Sports photography focuses on action, so high resolution helps preserve sharpness in fast-moving scenes. While resolution is important for detail, the key factors for sports photography are also fast autofocus, frame rate, and low-light performance.
- For Print: If printing a 20 x 30-inch poster of a sports event, you’ll want at least 24 MP for high-quality reproduction.
7. Wildlife Photography
- Ideal Resolution: 16 MP to 50 MP.
- Why: Wildlife photography often involves distant subjects, so higher resolution allows you to crop into the image for a better composition while maintaining image sharpness. A 24 MP camera is often a sweet spot, but higher resolutions can be useful for capturing fine details or distant subjects.
- For Print: For large prints (e.g., 16 x 20 inches), 24 MP or higher is great.
8. Astrophotography
- Ideal Resolution: 20 MP to 50 MP.
- Why: For astrophotography, you need high resolution to capture the fine details of celestial bodies. The larger the sensor and the higher the resolution, the more detail you’ll capture in the night sky.
- For Large Prints: A 24 MP or 36 MP camera can be ideal, especially if you plan to print large images of the night sky.
Quick Resolution Guide:
Conclusion
- For Print: The larger the print size, the higher the resolution you need.
- For Web: A camera with 12 MP to 24 MP is typically enough.
- For Professional Applications: A 24 MP to 50 MP camera is ideal for detailed work like portraits, landscapes, and commercial photography.
- For Large Prints: Higher resolution, especially 50 MP or more, is beneficial when creating large prints without compromising detail.
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Hi I'm Monique
Personal and business brand image expert. Photographer and educator who is super passionate about empowering business women and men to have a positive self perception, with the right tools and guidance so they can share their gifts with the world.
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Which resolution is ideal for each type of photography
Download PDF version here
Which resolution is ideal for each type of photography
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